74 new citizens naturalized at Worcester Public Library ceremony

Thursday

Apr 12, 2018 at 3:41 PM

Dozens of area immigrants, 74 total, from dozens of countries across the world, received their full citizenship rights at Worcester Public Library this morning.

The ceremony, presided over by U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Hillman, brought hundreds to the library as friends and family crowded the main lobby taping the ceremony on cell phones and waiving small American flags.

Mayor Joe Petty opened the ceremony, remarking that immigrant communities have served as a force for good in Worcester, helped to make the city what it is.

"I look forward to you raising your children and building a life here," he said to the crowd.

The ceremony comes as President Donald Trump's administration has put U.S. immigration policy under heavy scrutiny, promising a border wall and an escalation in deportations. Petty said the federal focus on immigration has caused anxiety among immigrants going through the often long process to becoming a citizen.

"I want you to all know that regardless of what is happening in the White House, I want you to know that you and you families, your communities, will be welcome in City Hall and in the City of Worcester," said Petty.

The 74 immigrants to receive their citizenship today come from all over the world. In total, 35 nations were represented at the ceremony, from Albania to Canada to Ghana to Indonesia to Vietnam and Zambia.

As Judge Hillman addressed the new citizens, he listed the native country of every new citizen present.

"Amazing," he said.

Hillman also listed off famous immigrants to have gone through the same process and participated in the same ceremony, from Albert Einstein to David Ortiz.

"I am so proud to be the first person to congratulate you all as citizens of the United States," said Hillman.

As is customary, the ceremony included a taped address from President Donald Trump.

"This country is now your country," said Trump in the taped message, which played on a TV to the right of the stage.

"All Americans are your brothers and sisters."

New citizens received their documentation at the end of the cermony.

Holding his, Yogesh Deochakke, a native of India, said the process was long and hard, but ultimately worth it. He started the process around 2005, he said.

"It's a big relief," he said.

Holding his infant daughter, who waived in her hand an American flag, Ghana native Saki Coblan said he's glad to have full citizenship.